22 The Fishery Question. 



Bedford, believing that such a proposition 

 would stop the negotiations or lead to a re- 

 newal of hostilities, departed from his instruc- 

 tions by consenting to a modification of these 

 terms. ''^ Careful observers on both sides an- 

 ticipated the result of the treaty of Paris con- 

 cluded in 1763. Montcalm was consoled for 

 the loss of Canada by the thought that the 

 English colonies would revolt in ten years. > 

 De Vergennes considered the cession a happy 

 arrangement, under the circumstances.'*^ At 

 one time there was a sentiment in favor of 

 exchanging Canada .for Guadaloupe, but 

 other views prevailed. ■*■♦ As it stood, the 

 treaty was unsatisfactory. The privileges 

 conceded the French were declared to be )a 

 equal to all Canada. Bedford was accused of 

 bribery. The French at St. Pierre were 

 w^atched and misrepresented. The malcon- 

 tents could only console themselves with the 

 reflection that the French, if deprived of the^- 

 Fisheries, might retaliate by the exclusion of 

 English fish from the markets of France and 

 her colonies. Freed from the attacks of the 

 traditional enemy, the Fishery was taken up 

 with energy and encouraged by the exemp- 

 tion from taxes of boats and tackle. As the 



